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auticon was founded in Berlin in 2011 by a father wanting better employment opportunities for his autistic son. Autistic professionals were employed as quality assurance consultants, debugging Websites and applications. As Managing Director of a small investment firm, Kurt Schöffer was approached by Ananda Social Venture Fund, who invited him to partner in creating Germany’s first social impact fund. The fund’s first investment was in auticon, where Kurt served as an advisor on the fund’s behalf. For Kurt, this was an opportunity to apply his business acumen to solve the social issue of rising unemployment among autistic adults, who often possess STEM skills applicable in a range of technology careers. After three months as an advisor, Kurt accepted a role as auticon’s Group CEO, later developing its 6 German office locations and expanding into Paris and London. The company added major clients such as BMW and Allianz, and new technology consulting services.

In 2016, Sir Richard Branson’s investment brought international attention to the company as it expanded into Italy and Switzerland. In 2018 auticon acquired two North American autism employers: MindSpark in Los Angeles and Meticulon in Calgary, later adding clients such as Salesforce and Deloitte and surpassing 200+ autistic employees globally. In 2019, auticon opened in Australia with one of the island’s largest employers.

In 2023, auticon and Unicus entered an agreement under which the two companies would unite. The historic deal established a global model for an autistic-majority social enterprise and ESG company, addressing the inequalities in employment for neurodivergent adults. The two combined companies became the largest autistic-majority company in the world, with 81% of its 600 employees on the autism spectrum across 15 countries.

Press Contact

Thank you for your interest in covering auticon. I look forward to speaking with you.

Jon Sweet
Email: Jon.Sweet (at) auticon.com
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Current Timezone: Australian Eastern Daylight
Language spoken: English

Publications

auticon’s Global Impact Reports

2024 Global Impact Report

2023 Global Impact Report

2022 Global Impact Report

2021 Global Impact Report (Published 2022)

2021 Global Impact Report (Languages: Italian,  English, and German)

2021 Global Impact Report (Languages: French, English, German)

2020 Global Impact Report (Languages: French, English, German)

auticon + Deloitte Report, “Embracing Neurodiversity at Work” 2022

A new report by Deloitte Canada and auticon Canada finds employment barriers, lack of workplace support for Canada’s autistic community. The joint report surveyed 454 adults across the country.

2022 auticon + Deloitte Report, “Embracing Neurodiversity at Work” (English)

LinkedIn article with the title "Supporting Neurodiversity at Work"

News Coverage

Sharnae and Anthony have excelled in the workplace...


SBS News

Tech employer with 70 per cent autistic workforce aiming to inspire others

HR Leader

Neurodiversity hiring – is this the key to plugging Australia's tech skills gap?

HRD Magazine

Woolworths pilots autistic consultants in software assurance

IT News

Branson-backed ASD tech consultancy arrives in Australia

Probono Australia

The Panel with Wallace, Jo McCarroll and Raj Chakraborti

RNZ Radio

Announcements

Bank of Ireland Leads the Way in Neuroinclusion with Groundbreaking Strategy

auticon’s Neurodiversity at Work Report 2024 auticon’s Impact Report 2024, features a deeper look at neuroinclusion in practice – highlighting the neuroinclusion strategy that the Bank of Ireland has developed and implemented, in partnership with auticon. Launched in March 2024, the strategy is designed to create a thriving workplace for neurodivergent colleagues while reinforcing the power of diverse thinking in driving business success. Chief People Officer Matt Elliott states,  “Good business decisions come from better thought processes that are informed by more views—diversity of thought is critical.”...
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auticon Releases 2024 Impact Report, showing business improving cultural outcomes by embracing neurodiversity

auticon, a global expert in the inclusion of autistic professionals, has released its 2024 Impact Report, reaffirming its commitment to building workplaces where neurodivergent individuals thrive. Drawing on years of expertise in supporting autistic talent, auticon is driving inclusion for all neurodivergent professionals, ensuring that workplaces benefit from the full spectrum of diverse thinking. 
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auticon announce groundbreaking research partnership with The University of Melbourne

This first of its kind research explores the creative contribution of autistic employees and the optimal work environment that will enhance that creativity. The research program will consist of interviews with auticon technologists to unlock the secrets of greater workplace creativity. At auticon, creativity is a key element that assists the organisation in delivering innovation to its clients. The organisation believes that innovation is the real key to making step change performance gains at every level, making this a truly...
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auticon works with Macquarie Group leveraging neurodiversity to improve data quality

Data integrity and reliability underpin any business’s ability to make critical business decisions. The larger the business, generally means more data and when volumes are high, looking for irregularities can be like trying to spot a needle in a haystack.
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The National Autism Strategy, a symbolic step in the right direction for employment

Earlier this month the Department of Social Services finally released its National Autism Strategy. The strategy strongly resembles the Canadian National Autism Strategy and is a good symbolic first step in the right direction for the employment of autistic people but offers very little for employers or workplace support. The strategy outlines key outcome areas social inclusion, economic inclusion, diagnosis and health & mental health. The government has devoted $42.3 million in funding to roll out the entire strategy over...
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Luke Williams, OBE joins auticon as Group CEO 

From 1st January 2025, @Luke Williams OBE has taken over as Group CEO at auticon.  Luke takes over the reins from @Kurt Schöffer, who joined auticon after becoming one of our first impact investors in 2013. Kurt has been instrumental to the success of auticon, positioning the organisation as a trailblazer in the acceptance of neurodivergent employees in the workplace. Under his leadership, auticon expanded globally, working with clients across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific and attracting notable investors such...
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